NEPC Rehab Specialty Clinics

New England Pediatric Care offers a variety of on-site Specialty Clinics to address the unique and complex needs of its residents and day students. In addition to being time efficient and cost effective (vs. sending residents to off-site appointments), these clinics promote an interdisciplinary approach to treatment as staff are readily available to provide input into clinic visits. Family/guardian involvement is also encouraged.

Specialty clinics offered at NEPC include:

Rehabilitation Clinic

This is an interdisciplinary clinic coordinated by the Rehabilitation Director and conducted by Dr. Harry Webster, who is NEPC's Medical Director and a pediatric physiatrist based out of New England Medical Center. The goal of this clinic is to evaluate and determine treatment strategies to address issues related to overall care of individuals with severe neurological impairments. Issues include but are not limited to the management of spasticity, contractures, range of motion losses, orthotic equipment needs, functional mobility, and changes in general health status. Physical therapy, occupational therapy and nursing representatives attend the clinic on a regular basis. Participation by other disciplines and families/guardian is encouraged.

The use of neuromuscular block procedures is a commonly used treatment for spasticity. The need for such a procedure is determined through the Rehab clinic and blocks are performed on site by the physiatrist with nursing, OT and/or PT assisting. Some residents use Intrathecal Baclofen pumps for systemic management of spasticity. These residents are routinely followed during Rehab clinic for pump refills and monitoring their response to the intrathecal Baclofen.

Orthopedic Clinic

Orthopedic services from New England Medical Center are utilized for periodic on-site clinics. This clinic is coordinated by the NEPC P.T. supervisor. It is currently held on a quarterly basis. Residents are seen for evaluation of spine, hips or other musculoskeletal conditions as they relate to comfort, positioning, ease of care and function. Family/guardian involvement is encouraged and only residents and day students who have parent/guardian approval are seen by NEPC's consulting orthopedist.

Brace Clinic

Many of the NEPC residents and day students require the use of orthotic equipment due to the presence of various musculoskeletal deformities. An on-site clinic is necessary in order to meet ongoing equipment needs. Physical therapy services and certified orthotists hold weekly brace clinics for the purpose of fabricating, modifying, repairing and/or ordering orthotic equipment.

Wheelchair / Seating Clinic

The majority of NEPC residents and day students are dependent on customized wheelchairs for seating and mobility. The need for repairs, modifications or replacement of wheelchairs is ongoing due to factors such as growth and/or musculoskeletal changes of the resident and general wear and tear of the wheelchair. Regularly scheduled clinics are held (currently twice monthly) to ensure that residents (and day students as per family request) are safe, comfortable and well-positioned in their wheelchairs/mobility devices.

The clinic is coordinated by PT and OT in conjunction with a Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Supplier with expertise in seating. Jointly, the therapist(s) and the DME seating specialist evaluate the resident/day student and determine the equipment needed to meet the individual's seating needs. Input from families and familiar staff is encouraged. The OT and PT who are primarily involved in this clinic have over 30 years of seating experience between them and are both credentialed as assistive technology practitioners.

Optometry Clinic

Occupational Therapy has weekly sessions to fabricate, modify, and repair UE splints. Many residents and day students utilize hand/wrist splints to maintain alignment, prevent further deformity, and maintain skin integrity.

Sensory Motor Group

Sensory motor groups are coordinated by PT and OT and held throughout the week so that each student is provided with opportunities to experience a variety of sensory and motor activities as most of our students are unable to initiate or perform such activities on their own due to the severity of their motor and cognitive skills. Games such as bowling, baseball, ring toss are adapted so that students can actively take part. Students are often taken out of their wheelchairs and positioned with staff on various pieces of gym equipment (i.e. swings, therapy balls, air flow mats) to allow them to experience movement and a variety of positions and facilitate/reinforce any motor skill that they have.